Triple threat: Del Oro tops Folsom for third consecutive section title

Del Oro High School girls soccer coach Megan Harris knew a goal was going to come but through 80 minutes, Saturday night's Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship game was scoreless. No. 1 seed Del Oro and No. 10 Folsom fought tooth and nail for a go-ahead goal as rain drenched Cosumnes River College. The Golden Eagles thought it came early in the second overtime period, but an offside call negated the goal. Three minutes later, senior Bailey Fuller torched the net to elevate Del Oro to a 1-0 victory, securing a third consecutive section title. "We just knew it was gonna come. I had a feeling," said Harris. "In the second half, we put a couple of fresh legs in there. Faith Miles was one of them and she was the one who created that opportunity to finish that goal by Bailey. That was the biggest difference maker tonight." Although Del Oro pulled through on the scoreboard, the Bulldogs controlled possession for most of the night. Folsom spent the majority of the game on the attack, but just as it has done all season, Del Oro's backline held strong. The Golden Eagles haven't conceded a goal in the last six matches and Harris said everyone is flexible and doing their part to continue to produce clean sheets. Sophomore goalkeeper Rowan Willson has been one of the biggest contributors to Del Oro's postseason success. Willson sat behind her sister Gray for the majority of last season and for good reason. Gray, who now plays at the University of Miami, produced 73 shutouts in 77 high school matches as a starter and was rated as one of the top netminders in the nation. Rowan has filled her sister's shoes well and is looking to continue the legacy of being a brick wall in the box. "She's been huge for us. She's done a tremendous job out there," Harris said. Willson says the credit belongs to the defense, which was led Saturday night by Ella Hyde, Cassidy Kelly, Nya Gibbs and Brooklyn Tanon. "My team did a great job getting through this. We just did a great job working together, and it feels good to get through with a win," Willson said. "I have full confidence in my defense. I had no stress or anxiety out there." Del Oro (13-2-5) and Folsom (10-7-5) advance to the CIF NorCal Regional Tournament, which begins Tuesday. The Golden Eagles reached the NorCal D-I championship match last season, falling to state-ranked No. 1 Archbishop Mitty in penalties in Loomis. The Golden Eagles drew the top seed and will host No. 8 Bishop O'Dowd (18-1-2) at 5 p.m. Tuesday. No. 7 Folsom travels to Mountain View to face No. 2 Saint Francis (18-2-1). Harris said the loss still stings for the Golden Eagles and they are eager to make another run but are focusing on one match at a time. Willson likes her team's chances, saying, "Our confidence is good, we just have to stay humble through it all. We know we're gonna face some pretty good teams, but we just wanna keep working to get that state title now."